A Backwoods Home Anthology

Using hydraulics to help

install your house grounding rod
By Bruce Allison

When I had underground power installed, one of the local electric companies workmen came to my door and asked if he could have some water. I
said sure I would get him a glass. But he said no! He didnt need a glass.
But if I could fill his hard-hat with about a quart of water, that would be just
fine. So I gave him his water.
Now this struck me as kind of
funny! So I followed him out to the
transformer site. What he did is
one of the most interesting things
Id seen in a long time. He grabbed
hold of the ground rod (1/2x8)
and stuck it into the ground
about 4 inches. He then poured a
little water onto the edge of the rod
which flowed down into the
ground, he then raised the rod about
3 and then pushed it down.
With an up and down motion he
was able to push the rod a few more
inches deeper.
By adding small amounts of
water, and using an up and down
motion an even penetration into the
ground was achieved. It didnt take
more than five minutes to sink it to
the proper depth. He left about six
inches exposed.
I called one of my friends about a
year later just to talk. But he said he
didnt have time because he was
going to install a ground rod. So I
told him I knew of a better way. By
using a quart of water in a mason
jar, instead of a sledge hammer, he
bought into this idea. When I
checked in with him later in the
day, I asked him how it went and he
said great.
Now this is a great technique, but
I cant guarantee that it will work in
all ground conditions. I have seen
this done in the soils and clays of
the Pacific Northwest.

54

The Fourth Year